Geddes, John Percival (1868-1926)

Henderson’s BC Gazetteer and Directory, 1902, page 661

John Percival Geddes was a customs broker. He lived at 1055 Denman Street from 1902 to 1910.

John Percival Geddes (sometimes called “J. Percy Geddes” or “Percy Geddes”) was born in Montreal, Quebec, on March 15, 1868. His father was Charles George Geddes (1837-1913), who was a stockbroker. His mother was Janet Millar (1841-1906).

Percy went to a private school in Montreal for a time. Later he was at St. Edward’s School at Oxford, England, for six years. He then studied at St. John’s school in Montreal for three years, followed by one year at McGill University.

He later worked at a series of administrative jobs with the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Central Vermont Railway.

While he was with the Canadian Pacific Railway, he became the secretary to Thomas Shaughnessy. In 1888, the CPR transferred Percy to Vancouver, where he served for about 10 years as the secretary to Harry B. Abbott and Richard Marpole.

In 1898, Percy started his own customs brokerage business in Vancouver.

On June 15, 1901, in Bellingham, Washington, Percy married Margaret Ellen Jones, a widow who worked for a time as a photo re-toucher. She was born on June 1, 1877, in Sidney, Cheyenne County, Nebraska. Her father was Edwin Mahlon Day (1845-1929), who was a journalist and lawyer. Margaret’s mother was Mary Ann Sisson (1849-1939).

Margaret’s earlier marriage was to Percy John Jones, who was an analytical chemist. The wedding was on January 16, 1899, in Victoria, British Columbia. Percy Jones was born in London, England, about 1869. His parents were Robert William and Diana Jones. It appears that Percy died in 1899 or 1900.

Percy was a member of the Vancouver Athletic Club, and he was involved in several sports, including rowing, yachting, swimming and water polo.

Percy and Margaret appeared in the Vancouver society directories in 1908 and 1914.

Elite Directory of Vancouver, 1908, page 32

Vancouver Social Register and Club Directory, 1914, page 26

Percy and Margaret were not in the Vancouver directories after 1921.

Percy died in San Francisco, California, on August 16, 1926. He was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Margaret died in San Francisco on June 20, 1963. She was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Percy and Margaret had a son.

Percival Day Geddes

Percival Day Geddes was born in Vancouver on August 4, 1903.

On September 4, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, he married Gwynneth Jane Smart. She was born in Canada about 1906. Her father was Roderick H. Smart. Her mother was Ethel J. McCaughey.

Percival and Gwynneth were living in Los Angeles in 1930 and 1940.

In 1942, Percival and Gwynneth became naturalized United States citizens.

Percival died in Los Angeles on October 27, 1975. He was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Gwynneth died in Los Angeles on November 1, 1979. She was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.

“Edwin Mahlon Day, justice of the peace and formerly judge advocate general of the state of Washington, is one of the able and venerable members of the Bellingham bar, with which he has been identified for a period of thirty-five years. He achieved success in the field of journalism and while in Nebraska accomplished much important work along reclamation lines. He has been a leader in projects for the development of the rich mineral resources of this region, a promoter of transportation interests, and his labors in behalf of the Grand Army of the Republic also constitute an important chapter in his life history. He has left the impress of his individuality upon every line of endeavor to which he has turned his attention and few careers have matched his in service to the commonwealth.

Judge Day was born September 25, 1845, in Princeton, Illinois. His father, John Mills Day, was a native of Dearborn county, Indiana; was an agriculturist by occupation and also engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery for a number of years, passing away in 1902 at Aurora, Nebraska. His wife bore the maiden name of Ellen Brigham Beach and was born in Sloansville, New York. Her father was a veteran of the War of 1812, and her brother, Cyrus A. Beach, was killed at the battle of Altoona Pass during the Civil war. In the paternal line the subject of this sketch traces his ancestry to Stephen Day, who came to the new world in 1635 and settled near Boston, Massachusetts, becoming the first printer on this side of the Atlantic and the publisher of The Psalm Book, probably the first book issued in this country.

In the public school of Illinois, Judge Day acquired his early education and while attending Lombard University at Galesburg he joined another student in raising a company of infantry which was mustered in as Company H of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry. The date of his enlistment was August 5, 1864, at which time he was but eighteen years of age, and on August 10 of that year he was made a corporal, acting in that capacity until the close of hostilities. He was assistant chief clerk to the mustering and disbursing officer at Quincy, serving under Captain S. S. Summer of the regular army, and his regiment had charge of President Lincoln’s funeral. Corporal Day had charge of the immediate guard at the tomb at the time of interment at Oakland cemetery and was also in charge of the remains as relief guard at the state capitol in Springfield previous to the interment. General Joseph Hooker was marshal of the day, and in twenty-six hours about twenty-six thousand persons viewed the remains of the martyred president.

At Camp Butler, Illinois, Judge Day received his honorable discharge from the service and in 1865, while enroute to Colorado with a band of twenty-five emigrants, made good use of his knowledge of military tactics when the party was attacked by Indians at Alkali Springs on the 26th of October. He spent two years in Colorado, living in Denver and vicinity, and then returned to Illinois. After his marriage he moved to Sterling, Illinois, and for two years contracted with a sash and blind factory for painting and glazing. He was thus engaged from 1967 until 1969, when he went to Iowa and embarked in the publishing business in Des Moines, issuing the Des Moines Monthly Magazine and the Iowa State Granger. In 1877 he located in Sidney, Nebraska, and organized the first graded schools at that place, serving as principal and also as county superintendent of public instruction. Meanwhile he had been devoting his leisure hours to the study of law and in October, 1878, was admitted to the bar. He followed his profession in that state for twelve years and while a resident of North Platte became the founder and publisher of the Daily Electric Light and later owned and edited the Big Springs Journal at Big Springs, Nebraska. He also published the Ogallala (Neb.) Reflector and in addition was superintendent of the public schools of Keith county. In 1882 he organized the North Platte Irrigation & Power Company, which built the first irrigation canal in Nebraska and furnished water to fifty-one thousand acres of land. He also framed the first irrigation law passed in that state.

Responding to the lure of the northwest, Judge Day came to Washington and in 1891 arrived in New Whatcom, now known as Bellingham. In 1893 he founded the Fairhaven News, conducting the paper until 1896, and for four years thereafter published the Whatcom News, which was issued three times a week. He also published the Washington Resources until that paper was consolidated with the Fairhaven News and through the columns of these journals did much to influence the growth of the district. Seeking other outlets for his initiative spirit and superabundant energy, in September, 1901, he promoted and organized the Alger Oil & Mining Company, of which he became secretary, also acting as attorney for the corporation. It was started with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars and a plant for the manufacture of brick was erected at Alger at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. The company also acquired valuable mining property. In 1901 Judge Day formed the Britton Gold Mining Company, which was capitalized for three hundred thousand dollars, and he was elected secretary-treasurer, also having charge of the legal interests of the corporation, which developed gold and copper properties in the Mount Baker district. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Whatcom-Skagit Interurban Railway Company, of which he was made president and general manager, displaying notable wisdom and power as an executive. He has practiced in the higher courts for many years and although he has reached the eightieth milestone on life’s journey is still active in his profession, being exceptionally well preserved. His studies did not cease with his admission to the bar, for he has been a constant student, ever eager to broaden his knowledge of the law, and has successfully handled many notable cases. He has achieved more than local prominence as a lawyer, becoming judge advocate general of Washington with the rank of colonel. He was appointed by Governor Rogers and resigned after the latter’s death, but his resignation was not accepted until four years from the date of his appointment. Judge Day is widely known as the father of the law creating the humane bureau of Washington, and for sixteen years he has filled the office of justice of peace, his long retention therein being eloquent of the quality of his service.

On December 3, 1867, Judge Day was married in Illinois to Miss Mary A. Sisson, whose father, Azariah Sisson, was a scion of an old American family and of English and French descent. To this union were born five children: Edwin Sisson; Bryant Jewel; Myrtle Edith, the wife of M. T. Summers; Margaret Ellen, who married John Percival Geddes; and Louella Pearle.

Judge Day was an adherent of the republican party until 1893 and has since maintained an independent course in politics. He is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in 1877 joined the Grand Army of the Republic at Fort Sidney, Nebraska. At North Platte he established Stephen A. Douglas Post, of which he was chosen commander, and also organized J. M. Thayer Post at Ogallala, Nebraska. While in that state he acted as chairman of the state board of administration of that order and afterward became vice commander of C. R. Apperson Post of Fairhaven, Washington. His demeanor has ever been marked by that courtesy and consideration for others which is the outward expression of a kindly nature, and his friends are legion. He has extracted from life the real essence of living, and his labors have been manifestly resultant.”

Vancouver Daily World, September 23, 1902, page 8: “The Late Mr. Geddes. Referring to the death of Frank Geddes, brother of J. Percy Geddes, of this city, the Nanaimo Herald remarks: During his residence in this city, Mr. Geddes was employed in the law office of Messrs. Yarwood and Young, some years ago when that firm occupied an office on the corner of Commercial and Bastion streets, where Johnston’s store now stands. Deceased was . . . unmarried, and of a most pleasant disposition. His many friends here will learn of his early demise with sincere regret.”